Community Loans

Community Loans

We provide Community Loans to community organisations, clubs and groups for the development of recreation facilities within the District.

Applications for loans may be made at any time during the financial year.

Generally, the first $100,000 of any loan approved will be interest free.

Applicants will need to demonstrate a minimum 50% contribution towards the project and the ability to repay the loan.

Closing date:  Apply any time.  You should allow three months for the outcome. 

Eligible and ineligible projects

Eligible projects

The scheme can be used for the establishment or development of recreational facilities in the Whangārei District by community organisations.

Ineligible projects

The scheme is generally not available for:

  • retrospective costs
  • debt servicing
  • repairs and maintenance
  • projects in educational institutions normally funded within the education sector.

Criteria

The following criteria determines eligibility to apply for a loan and the level of support Council may be willing to offer.

  • You must be a not-for-profit incorporated society or charitable trust with a constitutionally open membership.
  • You must be in a stable and sound financial position.
  • You can contribute 50% towards the project (this can be from grant funding such as Lotteries).
  • You can demonstrate the ability to repay the loan within 8 years.
  • You can demonstrate the ability to maintain and run the facility well into the future.
  • You have a good track record for project / event management.
  • The recreational facility is to be within the Whangārei District.
  • There is demonstrable need and benefit for the wider community or a sector of the community.
  • The community and/or affiliated regional or national bodies supports the proposal.
  • The project aligns with Council priorities as identified in our strategic and planning documents.

Conditions

The following conditions apply to all loan approvals:

  • Generally, the first $100,000 will be interest free and any further portion will be interest bearing.
  • Generally, the maximum repayment period shall be 8 years.
  • Frequency of repayments will be negotiated with the borrower.
  • Legal expenses will be the responsibility of the applicant but may be included in the loan.
  • Loans will be formally executed and will be secured as Council deems appropriate.
  • Loans are generally not available to retire or restructure current debt, but Council may consider this in exceptional circumstances, such as where the ongoing viability of an organisation is under threat.
  • Loans may be subject to other conditions imposed by Council.
  • Loan draw downs may be by instalment at Council’s option and Council may require copies of applicant’s invoices from suppliers to which the loan relates.
  • For GST registered organisations, the GST portion of costs will not be funded by the loan.
  • Financial statements will be provided to Council annually during the term of the loan.
  • In the case of any default on repayments, Council will work with the organisation to remedy the situation as quickly as possible.
  • If the financial position of an organisation deteriorates to the point that the loan repayment is not possible, Council will exercise its rights as specified in the loan agreement.
  • Any arrears of repayments will be reported to the Community Development Committee of Council.

Apply for Community Loans

Online

Step 1.Check criteria

Check requirements for eligible applications:

Criteria

Eligible and ineligible projects

Step 2.Apply

Use this online form to apply for this Fund:

Community Loans Application Fund

Step 3.Assessment

Funding decisions are made by the Community Development Committee of Council.

You should allow three months for the outcome.

Step 4.Report back

Loan recipients will need to provide their financial statements to Council annually during the term of the loan.

Loan conditions

By email

Step 1.Check criteria

Check requirements for eligible applications:

Criteria

Eligible and ineligible projects

Step 2.Apply

Download and print this application form:

Community Loans application form(PDF, 80KB)

Fill in the form, scan it and email it to:

Email:  funding@wdc.govt.nz

Step 3.Assessment

Funding decisions are made by the Community Development Committee of Council.

You should allow three months for the outcome.

Step 4.Report back

Loan recipients will need to provide their financial statements to Council annually during the term of the loan.

Loan conditions

In-person

Step 1.Check criteria

Check requirements for eligible applications:

Criteria

Eligible and ineligible projects

Step 2.Apply

Download and print this application form:

Community Loans application form(PDF, 80KB)

Fill it in and bring into one of our Customer Service centres:

Te Iwitahi
9 Rust Avenue, Whangārei
Monday to Friday - 8:00am to 4:30pm
Closed public holidays

Ruakākā service centre 
9 Takutai Place, Ruakākā
Monday to Friday - 8:30am to 4:00pm
Closed public holidays

Step 3.Assessment

Funding decisions are made by the Community Development Committee of Council.

You should allow three months for the outcome.

Step 4.Report back

Loan recipients will need to provide their financial statements to Council annually during the term of the loan.

Loan conditions

By post

Step 1.Check criteria

Check requirements for eligible applications:

Criteria

Eligible and ineligible projects

Step 2.Apply

Download and print this application form:

Community Loans application form(PDF, 80KB)

Fill it in and post it to:

Attn: Funding Officer
Whangarei District Council 
Private Bag 9023
Te Mai
Whangārei 0143

Step 3.Assessment

Funding decisions are made by the Community Development Committee of Council.

You should allow three months for the outcome.

Step 4.Report back

Loan recipients will need to provide their financial statements to Council annually during the term of the loan.

Loan conditions